Hackensack takes steps toward downtown redevelopment

HACKENSACK – The City Council approved three ordinances Tuesday night aimed at boosting downtown development.

The council adopted a redevelopment plan for a 4.3-acre municipal parking lot across from Foschini Park known as Lot C. The plan calls for turning the lot into a retail and residential center with design elements and open spaces or plazas.

Under current zoning, a developer could construct a hotel or residential building to a height of up to 14 stories over retail or commercial businesses and parking structures.

"It's exciting because it will provide housing in an area being underutilized and generate tax revenue," said Anthony Rottino, interim city manager and economic development director.

The parking lot, which officials said is underused, has 544 spots for park visitors and customers at the Ice House and Bowler City, both of which lease space from the city. The plan adopted Tuesday night calls for one parking space per residential unit and at least 200 parking spaces for public use.

The City Council named the parking lot site as an area in need of redevelopment in June — a designation for blighted areas that allows a city to plan improvements and offer tax incentives.

With the adoption of the plan, the city expects to advertise for requests for proposals from developers within two weeks, Rottino said.

The council also adopted an ordinance that allows the city to give tax incentives for up to five years to developers and residents who build or make improvements in the 39-block Upper Main Street Rehabilitation Area. The ordinance sets specific criteria that developers must meet to obtain a tax abatement, but does not guarantee abatements for any project.

"The ordinance is very specific about what a developer needs to do to even be considered for an abatement," said Rottino. He said the goal is to attract mixed-use projects that will benefit residents and enhance the character of the community.

Apartments eyed

The council also passed a resolution agreeing with the Planning Board to designate a row of buildings at 150-170 Main St. as an area in need of redevelopment. A report by planning consultant Francis Reiner found blight conditions including structural cracks, broken windows, fire damage, and obsolete and impractical building lay-outs.

A developer wants to build a 14-story tower with 375 apartments and first-floor retail space at the site, which stretches more than half a block. The council also introduced a resolution to adopt a redevelopment plan for that site.